Tiz the season...

That joy to the world, the winter farmers' market, is now available everywhere, and amazingly enough, more so than summer markets. One town that had two regular markets has three winter ones! And all are action packed with music, tastings and artisan foods like pickles and smoked meats you won't find in summer.

The ratio of crafts to veggies has reversed. Instead of eggplants and corn, you can by repro vintage aprons and hand-carved salad bowls. But between the bakers and crafters are farmers with mesclun mix, Hakurei or salad turnips, leeks, potatoes, winter squashes and kale. There's plenty of artisan cheese, organic eggs. fish and maple syrup. Plus more meat than ever, much of it smoked into bacon, salamis and pepperoni. All perfect for heavier eating at this cold time of year.

My prize for creativity at this season goes to Treats for Tweets at the Brunswick Winter Market in Maine: cookies and cakes made of birdseed and flowers. Take a peek at what to peck:

Yes they were relatively pricey and yes we live in troubled financial times, but you have to admit these cakes make you smile. So joy to the world! Even if it's for the birds.